The SMU Mustangs revolutionized how football was played back in the 1920s, well before they started earning National Championships.

While they may not be making as many headlines in the 21st century, SMU is still one of the most notable teams in Texas and is always on the hunt for a bowl game invitation. Bettors are well aware of what SMU is capable of, which is why the team will be a big part of the forthcoming sports betting landscape in the Lone Star State.

From here, let’s fully cover how to bet on SMU football online in Texas, including current SMU Mustangs odds direct from online sportsbooks.

Top ways to bet on SMU Mustangs football

Let’s take a closer look at how to bet on college football games, including moneylines, point spreads, totals and prop bets.

What is the SMU football moneyline? 

There’s a good reason the moneyline is the first bet type most newcomers try out. It’s simple to understand, and every sportsbook has a nice variety for just about every sport. For a moneyline bet, you simply look at an upcoming game and try to pick the winner.

BetMGM Sportsbook has a great selection of moneyline betting opportunities for any level of bettor. While its selection may not be as large as many of its competitors’ selections, BetMGM makes up for it with strong, competitive odds.

Here’s an example of a moneyline bet you might see at BetMGM Sportsbook Texas post legalization:

• SMU Mustangs                          -175
• North Texas Mean Green     +260

The negative number for SMU’s odds in this example indicates they are the favorites to win the game. It also shows the amount we need to bet in order to get $100 in winnings.

North Texas’ positive odds show us they are the underdogs, as well as how much we stand to win if we bet $100 on them. A $100 moneyline bet on the Mean Green, for example, would return $260, plus your original $100 wager.

What is the SMU football point spread? 

The point spread is one of the most popular bet types for how it adds value to otherwise pointless bets. Take, for example, a game between a powerhouse football team and a struggling program.

Oddsmakers expect it to be a massive blowout, so the moneyline odds are horribly unfavorable on both sides. The favorite winning won’t make you hardly any money, and the underdog is, well, very likely not going to win.

The point spread makes it more even by assigning a number of points the favorite is expected to win by. If they fail to win by that amount or more, then the underdog wins the bet.

DraftKings Sportsbook has a solid selection of college football point spread odds for just about every game. The sportsbook keeps its odds tight and competitive with its rivals, but it also boasts one of the most lauded betting app experiences.

Here is a point spread example you might come across at DraftKings Sportsbook TX:

• SMU Mustangs                         -7.5 (-110)
• Texas Tech Red Raiders      +7.5 (-110)

The Mustangs have been given a 7.5-point spread by the oddsmakers in this example. That means they have to win by at least eight points in order to win the bet. The Red Raiders, on the other hand, simply need to lose by fewer points than seven or win the game.

Both sides of this example carry -110 odds, which shows us that we need to bet $110 in order to win a total of $210. That’s your original stake and $100 in profit.

SMU Mustangs totals bets

Also known as over/unders, totals bets begin with a predicted number of combined points between the two teams. Then, you choose if the teams will score higher or lower than that total.

Unlike with most other bet types, you don’t really care who wins or loses the game with an over/under. Instead, the two teams scoring points is all that you need to keep in mind.

Here’s an example of a common-looking totals bet:

• Over         51.5 (-110)
• Under      51.5 (-110)

If your research shows you that these two teams will likely be in a defensive standoff, then you’ll want to bet on the under. If you find the two teams have significant scoring power, then you’ll want to bet the over.

Both sides of this wager carry -110 odds, which tells us how much we have to bet in order to win $100. Still, you don’t have to bet that much or that little. It’s all proportional payouts according to the odds. For example, a $55 bet would pay out $105. A $261 bet would pay out $498.27, which includes $237.27 in winnings.

SMU Mustangs prop bets

Prop bets are “side bets” you make with your sportsbook. They are focused on how the team performed and specific in-game events. They range from serious to light-hearted. Some have outstanding value; others do not.

Caesars Sportsbook has crafted arguably the best prop bets selection around. The bigger the event and the more popular the teams playing, the more likely you’ll see numerous betting opportunities. That said, Caesars has a solid selection for most games.

Here’s an example of a prop bet you might encounter at Caesars Sportsbook in Texas:

Will the SMU Mustangs have over/under 425 yards passing? 

• Over (+160) or Under (+145)

The sports odds for these bets work the same as in our examples above. Since both sides have positive odds in this bet, you are being shown how much you could win with a $100 bet.

Prop bets can be hard to pre-research, but don’t just guess. Scout SMU’s passing offense. Does the other team have a quality secondary? The more information you can gather, the more likely it is you’ll make an informed decision.

SMU Mustangs football coaching staff

There have been some amazing coaches who have come and gone from Southern Methodist University. Here’s the current staff:

• Head coach: Rhett Lashlee
• Assistant head coach: Rob Likens
• Defensive coordinator: Scott Symons
• Offensive coordinator: Casey Woods
• Special teams coordinator: Craig Naivar
• Strength coach: Shawn Griswold

Here is a list of all the head coaches who have led the Mustangs football program:

Coach	Tenure
Rhett Lashlee	2022-present
Sonny Dykes	2017-2021
Chad Morris	2015-2017
Tom Maston	2014 – interim
June Jones	2008-2014
Phil Bennett	2002-2007
Mike Cavan	1997-2001
Tom Rossley	1991-1996
Forrest Gregg	1989-1990
Bobby Collins	1982-1986
Ron Meyer	1976-1981
Dave Smith	1973-1975
Hayden Fry	1962-1972
Bill Meek	1957-1961
Woody Woodard	1953-1956
Rusty Russell	1950-1952
Matty Bell	1935-1941, 1945-1949
Jimmy Stewart	1942-1944
Ray Morrison	1915-1916, 1922-1934
Burton Rix	1917-1921

Where do the SMU Mustangs play their home games?

How to watch and listen to SMU Mustangs football games

If you’re looking for a way to catch some SMU Mustangs football games, you will be happy to discover there are a lot of possibilities.

Watching           

• ABC Sports
• CBS Sports
• ESPN
• ESPNU
• ESPN2

For streaming services, you can find some SMU games at:

• ESPN+
• PonyUp TV (SMUMustangs.com)
• Hulu Live
• YouTube Live
• SlingTV
• DirecTV+
• fuboTV

If you’d rather listen to the games, tune your dial to:

• KASR 92.7 FM (Conway, AR)
• KTCK 1310 AM (Dallas)
• KTCK 96.7 FM (Dallas)
• KAAM 770 AM (Dallas)
• KTBB 600 AM (Tyler)
• KYZA 95.7 FM (Tyler)
• KRWR 92.1 FM (Tyler)
• KTBB 97.5 FM (Tyler)

You can also stream the games over the internet via:

• TuneIn App
• SMU-Mustang Sports Network

A brief history of the SMU Mustangs football team

Three national titles and the NCAA “death penalty”? Let’s look at some key events in the wild history of SMU football.

• 2019: Mustangs rank in the AP Poll top 25 for the first time since 1986.
• 2013: Southern Methodist University joins the American Athletic Conference.
• 2009: After years of struggle post-death penalty, the Mustangs are invited to their first bowl game in 25 years and defeat the Nevada Wolf Pack 45-10 in the Hawai’i Bowl.
• 2005: The Mustangs move to Conference USA.
• 2000: Gerald J. Ford Stadium opens and becomes the modern home for the SMU football program.
• 1996: SMU joins the Western Athletic Conference.
• 1988: The Mustangs cannot field a viable college football team, electing to keep the program shut down for another season.
• 1987: SMU becomes the first and only football program in collegiate history to receive the NCAA “death penalty” for repeat rules violations and is not allowed to play football that season.
• 1982: The Mustangs earn another National Championship, this time being selected by the Helms Athletic Foundation.
• 1981: SMU is named a co-national champion by the National Championship Foundation.
• 1979: SMU moves to Texas Stadium for home games.
• 1968: The Mustangs win the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, their first bowl victory since 1949.
• 1966: John LaGrone becomes the first Mustangs player to win both All-American and Academic All-American honors.
• 1966: SMU wins its first conference championship in 18 years.
• 1952: David Powell becomes SMU’s first Academic All-American winner.
• 1948: Doak Walker wins the Heisman Trophy, the first SMU player to do so.
• 1948: The 9-1-1 Mustangs go to the Cotton Bowl Classic and defeat the Oregon Webfoots 21-13 to earn their first bowl game victory in school history.
• 1948: SMU moves home games to the Cotton Bowl. (Live Cotton Bowl odds here)
• 1947: Mustangs go 9-0-2 and win their sixth Southwest Conference title.
• 1935: SMU is declared the national champion by Frank Dickinson and Deke Houlgate.
• 1935: Matty Bell takes over as head coach for SMU and leads the team to a 12-1 record.
• 1931: The Mustangs capture their third conference title.
• 1926: A second conference title is claimed by SMU.
• 1926: SMU begins playing their home games at Ownby Stadium.
• 1923: The Mustangs go 9-0 and win the first conference football title in school history.
• 1922: Ray Morrison returns to coach at SMU and becomes known as “the father of the forward pass” with his teams throwing 30-40 times a game instead of the typical five or six passes.
• 1918: The Mustangs become a member of the Southwest Conference.
• 1917: Southern Methodist University adopts the Mustangs as its mascot.
• 1915: SMU begins its football program under the leadership of coach Ray Morrison, who coached baseball, basketball, track, and was a math professor.